These are the kind of stories that it just kills Loren “Papi” that he is not at Prakash to experience. Nupi loves to rub it in a little too. Just imagine what all those girls sounded like! Well, who ever said life in India was not exciting. We have no idea if the snake was poisonous or not, but look carefully at the picture of it wound around the stick—big enough to make me shutter. Here is Nupi’s account of the events of the day.

“Hey, Papi after what you did to the monkeys one time, we now have other visitors coming to RGI. But these are much more terrifying. I was sitting in my office and Pushpa, one of our tailoring students, came to me running during the recess. She was so terrified she could barely speak, “Madam, there is a snake in the toilet.” I went to see hoping to see it somewhere on the floor but to my amazement, it was down in the toilet in the water. It could be clearly seen. I called for help!!!

The boys in the computer class were scared to kill it and the question was how to kill it? I called for my best available PBI staff. I called Moses and he came running along with two boys.

He tried to kill it but since the space was so less the snake went inside. Then came Ramesh and Premdas they thought of looking for it in the chambers (septic tank) behind. It needed to be killed for sure. But they could not find it. One person was watching in the other toilets in the row and others were watching the opened chambers. It was seen in one of the chambers, but again slipped away.

As this waiting was long, some boys were going to use the toilet on their side and I simply said, “Boys keep a watch and be careful when you go in. I don’t want any snakebites.” To my utter amazement a boy came out running, “Madam the snake is trying to come out from the drain on the floor below the sink.” The team came to kill it and again the snake slipped away. The hide and seek game was on and our team was determined to kill it. They poured phenyl, hot water, and kerosene in the toilets, both on the boys and girls sides. Watching for it to come out from the chambers.

How proud our team was. By now it was 1:15pm. At one o’clock we said to the boys and staff, “Leave it, you need to go for lunch.” BUT they said, “No, today first the snake and then lunch.” Anyway this was a thrilling story and I know it is going to sadden Papi that he missed the thrill. Two days later a small snake was seen in the office toilet, but it went away. Ramesh tried to look for it but it could not be found. I praise God for his protection, for us, and all the students at RGI. Praise be His name.”

“Looks like Papi will have a new project when he goes to Prakash again.”

Again we have another glowing report from Dr. Suresh. His Self-Reliant Training has been one of the most successful outreach programs to Hindu young people that Prakash for India has ever initiated. Of course, it would all be impossible without dear Dr. Suresh.

“I am very happy to submit this report to you about the weeks we were busy with our Self-Reliant training. This year I taught Dairy and Goat Keeping together.

There were 12 students for this training, including four graduates in Poultry who took readmission as they realized the importance of goat keeping. It was really fun to teach these village young people and instructed them in their own tune so that they could easily understand. This, they really like and it made us more friendly. We finished several subjects in this training like Body parts of a goat, Feed Management, Diseases and its First Aid, Vaccination and its importance, Castration with new techniques, Marketing and Spiritual Education.

The students enjoyed it very much. The training was completed in a joyful atmosphere. We also had spiritual classes through the Starting Point Course.

These Hindu young people really enjoyed this class each day before starting Goat keeping training. We also had practical visits to near-by farms. Here they learned how to take care of their own animals in a Medical emergency. We also learned how to catch animals for proper diagnosis. (NOT just running, lunge, and falling flat on your face)

I must say that this training really will help these poor village young people to stand on their own feet and lend a hand in the development of their family, community and villages. I am really thankful to farmer Mr. G… for providing us residential facilities and use of his animals and other things.

Know that your support can transform many lives with Community Development through Self-Reliant Training.”

I know some of you have been waiting for a report on the goats given at Christmas. Here is
Dr. Suresh’s report on one family that received goats. At first my reaction was, “Oh NO!!! How could she???” BUT then it dawned on me; this is such a valuable thing to have her children educated. Schooling is NOT totally free in India. Even in the public schools there is a financial outlay for the parents for fees, books and uniforms. When you are as poor as this woman you simply cannot afford to pay these expenses. Read this precious report and rejoice.

“Since many days I am trying to meet Surekha and her family, but these days being busy for her I could not meet them. Today I changed my tactic and went very early in the morning. When I reached there they were busy in getting ready for school and work. Like any mother she had to comb her daughters hair.

After taking some pictures and after children went to school I asked her how she was doing? She very happily replied, “The reason for the happiness in my house is my children are going to school. It is all because of the goats given to me. I didn’t have money to admit my children in the school and buy books, bags and uniforms, but then I sold two kids of the goats given by you and used the money to put my children in the school.

Really it makes my children very happy. This is the first time I bought new uniforms for them.” She is very thankful to us for such a thoughtful gift. In India education is more important to parents than food.

She kept one female goat which is pregnant now and within two three months it will give birth to kids. She is happy with this female goat. It gives milk for the family. Surekha is doing well now because she is doing day-labor everyday and runs the house with this money.
I am really happy for the Gods’ people who thoughtfully gave for this cause and help this family in the time of crisis. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL ABUNDANTLY.”